Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 3, 2026 — Last Updated: April 3, 2026

Introduction

Calgary Tea ("we", "us", "our", or "Site") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at calgarytea.com and use related services (the "Service").

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, and password if you create an account
• Newsletter Signup: First name and email address for newsletter subscriptions
• Story Submissions: Text content of your tea stories and recommendations
• Listing Submissions: Business information for directory listings
• Chat Messages: Messages sent to Dusty (our AI assistant)

Information Collected Automatically

• Log data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, referring URL)
• Device information (type, operating system, unique device identifiers)
• Usage data (time spent on page, clicks, scroll behavior)
• Geographic data (based on IP address)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

• Providing and improving the Service
• Processing your account and transactions
• Sending newsletters and promotional communications (with opt-out option)
• Moderating and publishing user-submitted stories
• Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Preventing fraud and ensuring security
• Complying with legal obligations
• Responding to your inquiries and providing customer support

Automated Redaction of Sensitive Data

When you submit content (stories, messages, or listings), personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and postal codes is automatically detected and redacted from our logs before human review. This ensures that sensitive details are protected even if they're included in your submission.

AI Processing

Your stories and messages may be processed by AI systems (including Claude, an AI assistant from Anthropic) for the following purposes:

• Content moderation and safety review
• Generating summaries for our editorial team
• Improving Dusty's responses and knowledge base
• Analytics and insights about Calgary's tea community

AI processing follows our moderation guidelines and does not share your full personal data with third-party AI providers beyond what is necessary.

Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with:

• Service Providers: Third parties that help us operate our website and provide services (hosting, analytics, email delivery)
• Business Partners: For joint marketing initiatives or partnerships
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
• Public Content: Stories and testimonials that you submit may be published publicly with your first name only

Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us.

Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including encryption, secure authentication, and regular security reviews. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your data
• Opt-out of certain data uses
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Lodge a complaint with relevant authorities

Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies for essential functions and analytics. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may limit Service functionality. We do not track you across third-party websites.

Third-Party Links

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before sharing information.

Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we become aware of such collection, we will delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes take effect when posted. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

For privacy questions or requests, contact us at:

Calgary Tea / CalgaryRodeo Network
Email: hello@calgarytea.com
Website: calgarytea.com